Erdogan praises Ozil’s decision to quit German team

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said he had spoken to Turkish-origin football star Mesut Ozil after his decision to quit the German team on the grounds of racism, offering his praise for the Arsenal player’s move.

“Last night I spoke to Mesut. His attitude in the statement is completely patriotic,” Erdogan said, quoted by state TRT Haber broadcaster. “It is not possible to accept this kind of racist attitude towards a young man who poured so much sweat for the German national team’s success.”